Insights on the design of effective seed systems

Objective

This project investigates how the design and implementation of seed-focused input subsidy programs (ISPs) shape agricultural productivity and inclusion in Sub-Saharan Africa. Despite significant public spending, adoption of improved seeds remains low, and existing evidence on ISPs is fragmented and largely limited to short-term input uptake. Moreover, little is known about how specific design features—such as targeting criteria, distribution channels, or the type of seeds subsidized—affect outcomes, or how these programs interact with the broader institutional structure of seed delivery. This project fills this gap through a three-part research agenda. First, I conduct a systematic review of recent ISP evaluations, focusing specifically on seed provision and disaggregating effects by design components, geographic regions, and implementation modalities. This synthesis provides a conceptual foundation for the project and highlights key channels of interest. Second, I empirically assess the effects of Senegal’s seed subsidy program on productivity and adoption using nationally representative, georeferenced household surveys merged with administrative targeting data. Third, I conduct qualitative fieldwork and institutional mapping to document how seeds move through the delivery chain, from central allocation to farm-level use. This component will identify implementation bottlenecks, supply-side failures, and behavioral responses by farmers and intermediaries. These important findings will inform the design of more effective and inclusive subsidy programs, with relevance for other low- and middle-income countries. Through policy briefs, open data, audiovisual materials, and stakeholder engagement, the project aims to bridge the gap between research and action, contributing to sustainable agricultural transformation and better use of public resources. This work will inform future policy design.